KOREA-UK teleconference

Korea and UK Agrees on Closer Cooperation

to Tackle Climate Change

Deputy Prime Minister Hong Nam-ki held teleconference with British Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Alok Sharma on September 11 and agreed to forge closer cooperation to tackle global climate change.

The Korean New Deal

DPM Hong pointed out that challenges of the COVID-19 crisis and climate change cannot be solved without close cooperation between countries. In particular, he spoke highly of Britain’s effort for taking the lead in tackling climate change including hosting the 26^th UN Climate Change Conference (COP26).

Secretary Sharma also highly evaluated Korea’s response to COVID-19 and the Korean New Deal policy. DPM Hong emphasized that the Korean New Deal is a program to preemptively respond to crisis and a pledge to change economic paradigm from coal dependent economy to a low-carbon economy.

DPM Hong mentioned that there are similarities between Korea’s Green New Deal and UK’s Green Economic Recovery and two countries should continue to strengthen cooperation by sharing information related to the policies.

Partnering to tackle climate change

Secretary Sharma asked Korea to step up cooperation in the 26^th UN Climate Change Conference (COP26) to be held on November 2021 in UK. DPM Hong responded that Korea will take part in shifting to a low-carbon economy and asked for Britain’s close attention to PG4[1] Summit Seoul to be held next year. The two governments expect the UN Climate Change Conference and PG4 summit to provide a great momentum for resolving global climate change issues.